System for distributing DC power to and controlling building devices

Abstract

A scalable DC power distribution and control system suitable for commercial buildings includes one or more power and control hubs. Each DC power and control power hub provides power and control for any suitable distributed DC loads such as light-fixtures. AC power from the electric utility is applied to the power and control hub and is converted to DC power for distribution to DC loads within the space using low-voltage cables.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method of controlling and distributing DC power comprising the steps of:
 providing a power hub comprising:
 a hub controller configured to be inserted into a ceiling through the space taken up by a ceiling tile; 
 a power converter adapted to convert AC power to DC power; 
 one or more variable voltage regulators operatively connected to the power converter and controlled by the hub controller, the one or more variable voltage regulators are operable to provide regulated DC power to one or more primary loads and to receive and transmit data and control signals from and to the one or more primary loads; 
 
 inserting the hub controller into the ceiling of a room by first removing the ceiling tile in the room and then replacing the ceiling tile to hide the hub from view; 
 operatively connecting one or more communication interfaces to the hub controller to transmit and receive data and control signals; 
 providing each primary loads with a load control module having an input port and operating the input port to receive DC power and control signals through the input port and send information monitoring signals, sensor data and processed sensor data out from the input port; and 
 operating the load control module to use all or a subset of the output ports to apply DC power to a secondary load that is operably connected to the load control module. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of operably connecting the power hub and load controllers to each other via a network. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of providing a load driver operably connected to and under control of the load control module and operating the load driver to distribute DC Power to the secondary load.